Apparatus for curling eyelashes

ABSTRACT

A curling device for curling eye lashes includes a handle extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; and a curling blade extending from the handle along the longitudinal axis, the curling blade having a first lateral face and a second lateral face, each of the first lateral face and the second lateral face being flat, the curling blade having a contact edge, the contact edge longitudinally from the handle and terminating at a distal end of the curling blade, and the contact edge extending laterally between the first lateral face and the second lateral face.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to commonly owned and co-pending U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/325,848 filed Mar. 31, 2022,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed a curling device for curling eyelashes of a user.

BACKGROUND

There have been multiple ways proposed to enhance the curve of naturaleyelashes. One prior art device employs mechanical crescent shapedclamping jaws, with two plastic inserts in the “mouth” of the jaws, twoarms, and two finger holes used similarly to scissors, where you insertyour thumb finger and index finger into the holes and squeeze the armsto clamp your eyelashes between the crescent shaped clamping jaws. Thereare multiple problems that arise when these devices are used for theintended purpose of adding curve to a natural shaped eyelash. Theeyelash fits into the clamp and the clamp is squeezed upon it to form acurve. However, the mechanics of this device do not actually curl orcurve the eyelash, they crimp it, sharply bending it into a 90 degreeangle, ending up with the eyelash straight and perpendicular to theface. Another issue is that it pulls eyelashes out when they get stuckto the plastic portion of the clamping jaws. A further issue is that theeyelid skin can become stuck between the clamping jaws causing injury tothe eye area. Once the user puts the device in front of the eye, and thelashes into the clamp, one cannot see behind the device to make sure theeyelid skin isn't going to get pinched. In addition, the entire deviceis difficult to clean, and when dirty the plastic inserts frequentlystick together; when this happens the plastic pieces pull out of themouth of the clamping jaw and need to be re-inserted. Another problem isprior art devices are not able to be used comfortably or effectively byusers with flat almond shaped eyes. This is due to the fact that theprior art devices have a pronounced curve which does not fit naturallyagainst an eye having a flat almond shape. Furthermore, the pressure onthe fingers is uncomfortable, and the grip where the user holds thedevice to perform the squeezing motion is unnatural and can be difficultto manipulate. The entire process is inefficient and ineffective atadding a curve or curl to the eyelash.

Another device issued comprises of a grip with a fixed ellipsoidcurvature tongue at one end. A problem with this device is the shape ofthe fixed ellipsoid concave/convex tongue. This is because the concaveshape of the tongue is in a downward facing position, towards a user'scheek, with the lashes against the face of the concave portion. Used asintended, this directs the user to scrape the eyelashes with the thumbagainst the face of the device in a downward facing motion, pulling thelashes downwards, not imparting an effective curl. Another problem isthat the placement of the user's hand, and the motion intended toperform the task, does not optimize human wellbeing or aid in theoverall hand coordination needed to produce a full upwards facing curland only produces a slight curve in a few lashes at a time. Anotherproblem is that the user has to repeat the action many times per eye asonly a few eyelashes can be tended to at once. This repeated action,having to be done many times per eye, can cause shoulder, arm, and handfatigue. Another problem is that when the thumb is placed in theintended face of the concave area, the usable surface area of the deviceis only as wide as the tip of the user's thumb, which can only pull afew lashes at a time. Another problem is when the grip is held betweenthe index and middle fingers as intended the device is difficult for theuser to maneuver without the aid of all the fingers. Another problem isthat for the majority of action, the device is designed to utilize thetip of the user's thumb to grab the eyelashes and position them againstthe concave face of the device, however, if the user has false, or long,thumb nails they will poke into the eye while positioned to maneuver thedevice as intended. Another problem with this device is that to curl aportion of the eyelashes the device has to be positioned with the tip ofthe device facing straight into the user's eye which can be dangerous tothe user. Another problem is that the device is also designed to be usedas a mascara applicator, and mascara remover, which will render thespecific eyelash curling portion difficult to sanitize or clean, andwasteful to the mascara if the wand needs to be removed and cleaned ofusable makeup to sanitize the eyelash curling end. Another problemarises when the user has to remove and clean eye makeup remover clothesfrom the end of the curling portion for it to be used to be an eyelashcurler. The user now has to sanitize the end of the curling portion toremove the eye makeup removing solution from it as the eye makeupremover residue will be imparted to the eyelash curler portion makingthe user's mascara less effective.

Another device proposed is a non-mechanical curler composed of a handleand convex piece of suitable material that when used as intended engagesthe tip of the thumb, pointing at the eye, to pull the lashes straightout and downwards. The modus operandi is similar to curling a feather.The problem with this device is that the handle is not designed to fitinto the hand naturally when the thumb tip is facing the eyelashes, andmay result in difficulty holding the device efficiently, particularlyfor a user with no experience. Another problem is that it requires theuse of a mirror along with the use of both the left and right hand. Thismay also be difficult for users that are not ambidextrous, or lack thesame ability to use both hands for minute work near the eyeball safely.Another problem is that similar to the aforementioned device, the convexedge of this device can only attend to very few eyelashes at once,requiring the user to have to repeat the curling motion many times pereye. Finally, this device allows only one portion of the curling area tobe used in a longitudinal direction.

The devices that have been proposed, with a concave/convex spoon shapedcurling end, and incorporate the tip of the thumb to drag a user'seyelashes across said curved face, cannot give the user the mosteffective curl desired due to the fundamental shape of the device andthe position of the thumb, with the thumb tip being used to pull theeyelashes to curl, and the thumb tip and device directly facing theeyeball. The mechanics of the curve, and placement of the thumb, givethe user only a minute amount of surface area to gather only a very fewlashes to curl at once, forcing the user to have to repeat the curlingmotion many times per eye. The prior are devices requiring a motion thatthe user has to perform to obtain a curl which drags the eyelashes down,expecting them to pop back up, but for the most part end up pullinglashes out of the eye when pulled in this fashion. The eyelashes also donot spring back but only form a very slight curve, which doesn't givethe user the full curl desired. Additionally, the thumb tip being placedin a position to point directly into the user's eye is impossible foruser's with long thumb nails, and potentially dangerous to the eye area.The user cannot get the intended tip of the thumb to the root of thelashes as the user's eyeball will be in the way of the user's thumbnail.The tip of the device, pointing straight into the user's eye when usedas intended, is also a potential hazard.

Thus, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for curlingeyelashes that addressed the problems described above.

SUMMARY

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is disclosed a curlingdevice for curling eye lashes which includes a handle extending along alongitudinal axis thereof; and a curling blade extending from the handlealong the longitudinal axis, the curling blade having a first lateralface and a second lateral face, each of the first lateral face and thesecond lateral face being flat, the curling blade having a contact edge,the contact edge longitudinally from the handle and terminating at adistal end of the curling blade, and the contact edge extendinglaterally between the first lateral face and the second lateral face.

The present invention also includes a method for using the curlingdevice.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may be combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the Figures, which are exemplary embodiments, andwherein the like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the curling device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is bottom view of the curling device taken across section 2-2 ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the curling device taken acrosssection 3-3 of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the curling device taken acrosssection 3-3 of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the curling device taken acrosssection 3-3 of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 6 . is a cross-sectional view of the curling device taken acrosssection 3-3 of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a user employing the curling device ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a user employing the curling device ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a user employing the curling device ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a user employing the curling device ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a user employing the curling device ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a user employing the curling device ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a user employing the curling device ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a user employing the curling device ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the curling device of the present invention;and

FIG. 16 is a front end view of the curling device of FIG. 15 taken fromview 16-16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , a curling device 10 for curling eye lashesincludes a handle 20 that extends along a longitudinal axis L thereof.The curling device 10 includes a curling blade 30 that extends from thehandle 20 along the longitudinal axis L. The curling blade 30 has afirst lateral face 38A and a second lateral face 38B. Each of the firstlateral face 38A and the second lateral face 38B are flat. The curlingblade 30 has a contact edge 33, 35. The contact edge 33, 35 extendslongitudinally from the handle 20 and terminating at a distal end 32 ofthe curling blade 30, and the contact edge extending laterally betweenthe first lateral face and the second lateral face. As shown in FIG. 2-5, the first lateral face 38A is parallel to the second lateral face 38B.As shown in FIG. 6 , the first lateral face 38A and the second lateralface 38B are oriented at an angle θ relative to an axis X (see FIGS. 3-6) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, such that the thickness T6at the top edge 37 is about 0.5 mm (e.g., 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm) and tapersto a thickness T7 of about 0.2 mm (e.g., 0.15 mm to about 0.25 mm) atthe contact edge 33, 35, as shown in FIG. 16 . The contact edge 33, 35shown in FIG. 16 has a squared off edge similar to that shown in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the contact edge 33 is flat. In some embodiments,contact edge 33, 35 is perpendicular to the first lateral face 38A andthe second lateral face 38B. In some embodiments, a portion of thecontact edge 33 between a point 31 and a second point 34 is parallel tothe longitudinal axis L. In some embodiments, a portion of the contactedge 35 has an arcuate section between the point 34 and the distal end32. The portion of the contact edge 35 with the arcuate section curvesinwardly toward the longitudinal axis L and terminates at the distal end32 of the curling blade 30. The portion of the contact edge 35 with thearcuate section has a radius of curvature R1.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the contact edge 33, 35 has squared off corners 35Eand 35F. As shown in FIG. 4 , the contact edge 33, 35 has roundedcorners 35G and 35H. As shown in FIG. 5 , the contact edge 33, 35 haschamfered corners 35J and 35K.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the curling device 10 has an overall length L ofabout 4 inches up to about 8 inches; the handle 20 has a length L1 ofabout 3 inches up to about 5 inches; and the curling blade 30 has alength L2 of about 1.0 up to about 2.0 inches and preferably 1.5 inches.The handle 20 has a width T2 (between a top edge 22 and a bottom edge24) of about 0.5 inches up to about 1.0 inches and as shown in FIG. 2has a thickness T3 of about 0.25 up to about 0.5 inches. As shown inFIG. 1 , the curling blade has a width T1 (between a top edge 37 and thecontact edge 33) 0.5 to 1.0 inches and as shown in FIG. 2 has a uniformthickness T4 (between the first lateral face 38A and the second lateralface 38B 0.2 mm up to about 0.5 mm.

In some embodiments the handle 20 is made from a polymer based materialsuch as a thermosetting plastic. In some embodiments, the curling blade30 is manufactured from a metallic material such as stainless steel orbrass. In some embodiments, the handle 20 and curling blade 30 areintegrally formed as a single unitary piece. In some embodiments, thecurling blade 30 is made from a polymer based material such as athermosetting plastic. In some embodiments, the handle 20 and/or thecurling blade 30 are made from a composite material. In someembodiments, where the curling blade 30 is manufactured from a polymerbased material such as a thermosetting plastic, the contact edge 33, 35has a metallic edge insert therein.

There is disclosed herein a method for curling eye lashes. The methodcan be achieved with the curling device 10 grasped by either the user'sright or left hand for the full duration of the curling process. Whilethe method disclosed herein can be performed with either the right orleft hand of the user, the method is described herein assuming thecurling device 10 is held in the right hand and starts with the leftupper eyelashes. If the curling device is held in the left hand thecurling process would begin with the right upper eyelashes. While themethod is described with the curling device held in the user's righthand and starting with the left upper eye lashes, the present method isnot limited in this regard as the user can decide to start with eitherthe left or righteye, and with the device being held in either hand forone or both eyes, adjusting the method per hand and device position pereye to suit the curling process. If the user is more comfortable usingfirstly the left hand for the right eye and secondly the right hand forthe left eye this is also included in the present method, as the curlingdevice is designed to be used bi-directionally.

The method includes the following steps in the order presented below.

Step 1—Providing a curling device 10 having a handle 20 extending alonga longitudinal axis L thereof and a curling blade 30 extending from thehandle 20, along the longitudinal axis L, the curling blade 30 having afirst lateral face 38A and a second lateral face 38B, each of the firstlateral face 38A and the second lateral face 38B being flat, the curlingblade 30 having a contact edge 33, 35, the contact edge 33, 35 extendinglongitudinally from the handle 20 and terminating at a distal end 32 ofthe curling blade 30, and the contact edge 33, 35 extending laterallybetween the first lateral face 38A and the second lateral face 38B.

Step 2—Gripping the handle 20 of the curling device 10 in either handwith the outer surface of the middle phalanx's facing towards the usersface and the pad of the distal phalanx along the bottom edge 24 of thehandle, with the wrist and hand being parallel to the user's face.

Step 3—Positioning the curling device 10 in front of the user's eye withthe distal end 32 of the curling blade 30 nearest the user's nose.

Step 4—Gently, but firmly, pinch approximately half of the user's uppereyelashes, beginning at the base of the upper eyelashes, at the innercorner of the user's eye between the pad of the distal phalanx and thecontact edge 33, 35 of the curling blade 30.

Step 5—Rolling in one motion the user's wrist upwards, gently but firmlypulling the upper eyelashes through the pad of the distal phalanx andthe contact edge 33, 35, resulting in the proximal phalanx's now beingpositioned in front of the eye and the wrist and hand being at a 90degree angle.

Step 6—Releasing the curled upper eyelash.

Step 7—Moving the curling device 10 to the base of remaining half ofupper lashes at outer edge of eye and with distal end 32 of curlingblade 30 still pointing towards the user's nose repeat the curlingprocess.

Step 8—For the next eye, gripping curling device 10 bring across theuser's face to position the contact edge 33, 35 of curling blade awayfrom the nose, pointing towards the ear.

Step 9—Gently, but firmly, at base of upper lashes, pinch approximatelyhalf of the upper eyelashes at the outer corner of the eye between thepad of the distal phalanx and the contact edge 33, 35 of the curlingblade 30.

Step 10—In one motion, rolling the user's wrist upwards, gently butfirmly pulling the upper eyelashes through the pad of the distal phalanxand the contact edge 33, 35, resulting in the proximal phalanx's nowbeing positioned in front of the eye and the user's wrist and hand beingat a 90 degree angle.

Step 11—Releasing the curled upper eyelash.

Step 12—Moving curling device to remaining half of upper lashes,gripping at base of upper lashes, at inner edge of eye, with contactedge 33, 35 of curling blade 30 still pointing away from the nose andtowards the ear, and repeat the curling process.

Step 13—Release curled upper eyelashes.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications,adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can bemade without departing from the scope of the invention claimed herein.The various features and elements of the invention described herein maybe combined in a manner different than the specific examples describedor claimed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Inother words, any element or feature may be combined with any otherelement or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obviousor inherent incompatibility between the two, or it is specificallyexcluded.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“some embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described mayinclude a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, butnot every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do notnecessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portionsof the specification.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a referenceto “a plant” includes a plurality of such plants. It is further notedthat the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such,this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use ofexclusive terminology, such as “solely,” “only,” and the like, inconnection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a “negative”limitation. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,”“may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition orstep being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of theinvention.

The term “and/or” means any one of the items, any combination of theitems, or all of the items with which this term is associated. Thephrase “one or more” is readily understood by one of skill in the art,particularly when read in context of its usage.

Each numerical or measured value in this specification is modified bythe term “about”. The term “about” can refer to a variation of ±5%,±10%, ±20%, or ±25% of the value specified. For example, “about 50”percent can in some embodiments carry a variation from 45 to 55 percent.For integer ranges, the term “about” can include one or two integersgreater than and/or less than a recited integer at each end of therange. Unless indicated otherwise herein, the term “about” is intendedto include values and ranges proximate to the recited range that areequivalent in terms of the functionality of the composition, or theembodiment.

As will be understood by the skilled artisan, all numbers, includingthose expressing quantities of reagents or ingredients, properties suchas molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth, areapproximations and are understood as being optionally modified in allinstances by the term “about.” These values can vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the artutilizing the teachings of the descriptions herein. It is alsounderstood that such values inherently contain variability necessarilyresulting from the standard deviations found in their respective testingmeasurements.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, allranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges andcombinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual valuesmaking up the range, particularly integer values. A recited rangeincludes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within therange. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficientlydescribing and enabling the same range being broken down into at leastequal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limitingexample, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into alower third, middle third and upper third, etc.

As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language suchas “up to”, “at least”, “greater than”, “less than”, “more than”, “ormore”, and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer toranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussedabove. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include allsub-ratios falling within the broader ratio. Accordingly, specificvalues recited for radicals, substituents, and ranges, are forillustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or othervalues within defined ranges for radicals and substituents.

One skilled in the art will also readily recognize that where membersare grouped together in a common manner, such as in a Markush group, theinvention encompasses not only the entire group listed as a whole, buteach member of the group individually and all possible subgroups of themain group. Additionally, for all purposes, the invention encompassesnot only the main group, but also the main group absent one or more ofthe group members. The invention therefore envisages the explicitexclusion of any one or more of members of a recited group. Accordingly,provisos may apply to any of the disclosed categories or embodimentswhereby any one or more of the recited elements, species, orembodiments, may be excluded from such categories or embodiments, forexample, as used in an explicit negative limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A curling device for curling eye lashes, thecurling device comprising: a handle extending along a longitudinal axisthereof; and a curling blade extending from the handle along thelongitudinal axis, the curling blade having a first lateral face and asecond lateral face, each of the first lateral face and the secondlateral face being flat, the curling blade having a contact edge, thecontact edge extending longitudinally from the handle and terminating ata distal end of the curling blade, and the contact edge extendinglaterally between the first lateral face and the second lateral face. 2.The curling device of claim 1, wherein the first lateral face isparallel to the second lateral face.
 3. The curling device of claim 1,wherein the first lateral face and the second lateral face are orientedat an angle relative to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.4. The curling device of claim 1, wherein the contact edge is flat. 5.The curling device of claim 1, wherein the contact edge is perpendicularto the first lateral face and the second lateral face.
 6. The curlingdevice of claim 1, wherein a portion of the contact edge is parallel tothe longitudinal axis.
 7. The curling device of claim 1, wherein aportion of the contact edge has an arcuate section which curves inwardlytoward the longitudinal axis and terminates at the distal end of thecurling blade.
 8. The curling device of claim 7, wherein the arcuatesection has a radius of curvature.
 9. The curling device of claim 1,wherein the contact edge has squared off corners.
 10. The curling deviceof claim 1, wherein the contact edge has rounded corners.
 11. Thecurling device of claim 1, wherein the contact edge has chamferedcorners.
 12. A method for curling eye lashers using the curling deviceof claim 1.